Parents shut Khulanolwazi Primary in Soweto demanding brick-and-mortar classrooms
Parents at Khulanolwazi Primary School in Braamfisher, Soweto, have closed the school in protest, saying the institution has operated from temporary container classrooms since the area was established and that the structures now pose an unsafe learning environment for children.
The group has repeatedly raised concerns with the Gauteng Education Department, but parents say their complaints have not been acted on. They are calling for permanent classrooms, proper sanitation and sporting facilities to replace what they describe as dilapidated and unhygienic amenities.
One parent, Tshepo Matshele, described the conditions as "deplorable" and said learners are at risk from poor toilet facilities and resulting infections. According to Matshele, school authorities and the Gauteng MEC promised inspections and interventions, but follow‑up has not materialised.
"The kids are not learning in a good environment and the parents have been complaining about the toilets and the infections they cause," Matshele said. "We were told it’s temporary. The question is, how long is this temporary going to be?"
Parents also said the MEC — referred to by the community as "Maile" — had previously indicated the school was a priority, but the school's ranking has since changed and neighbouring developments have received construction attention. Matshele said the school was once listed as a top priority but has since been deprioritised while new schools were built in nearby areas such as Lufhereng.
The protest closure is intended to be a visible signal that parents are exhausted by years of promises without permanent solutions. School sessions were halted as parents kept learners at home, citing health and safety concerns linked to inadequate sanitation and the unsuitability of container classrooms for full‑time schooling.
Parents' demands and immediate effects
- Permanent classrooms to replace container structures
- Improved sanitation, including functioning, hygienic toilets
- Sports facilities so learners can participate in physical education and recreation
Parents say their children have been using the temporary facilities since the inception of the settlement. The stoppage has left learners without lessons while the community awaits a response from education authorities. There was no immediate comment in the report from the Gauteng Education Department or the MEC named by parents.
| Issue | Parents' concern |
|---|---|
| Classroom type | Permanent brick-and-mortar classrooms requested |
| Sanitation | Toilets alleged to cause infections; urgent repairs or replacement needed |
| Sports | No proper facilities; parents want space for exercise and games |
Local residents and parents are concerned not only about education disruption but about a longer-term pattern of underinvestment in township schools. Soweto communities have previously campaigned for improved infrastructure, and parents here say they will escalate their action if the department does not provide a satisfactory plan and timelines.
As this story develops, parents are calling for an urgent, transparent response from the Gauteng Education Department and for the MEC referenced by the community to meet them in Braamfisher to inspect the facilities and present a credible delivery plan. Meanwhile, learners remain at home and the protest sends a strong message: parents will not accept prolonged 'temporary' arrangements for their children's education.
If residents or stakeholders have updates, they are encouraged to follow official channels for statements from the department and the school governing body. The community's immediate demand is simple and practical — safe classrooms and decent sanitation so learners can return to school without risk.
